Running on the 3,200-meter course that will host the District 9-4A championships Oct. 20, Decatur’s Taylor Butler ran a 12:20 to finish fourth Saturday at the Reunion Run.

Butler stayed just off the lead pack throughout the race. Marietta’s Mandy Sykora pulled away to win the race in 11:49.

“The last mile I was dragging behind,” Butler said. “I was proud of my time though it wasn’t my best.

“We have 10 days until district. We’re going to train hardcore.”

Decatur’s Elizabeth Culpepper finished eighth in 12:39.

STRONG FINISH NETS FOURTH FOR RICHARDSON

After running against some of the state’s top fields the last two weeks at the Lubbock Invitational and McNeil Invitational in Round Rock, Boyd’s Connor Richardson ran confidently Saturday at the Reunion Run.

The Boyd sophomore went on the attack in the final mile, moving up three spots to finish fourth in 16:34.

“I felt great. I was not even tired,” Richardson said. “[The recent competition] is making me believe me in myself.”

Richardson ran most of the race, trading spots with Bridgeport’s Eric Aguilar. The Bulls’ lead runner finished seventh in 16:46.

“I felt pretty good,” Aguilar said. “We ran strong as a team. This was good preparation for district.”

The Bulls finished third with 94 points in the 4A-and-under 5K. Marietta won the division with 38 points. Sanger took second with 61. Boyd was fourth with 139.